Power control system and vehicle

ABSTRACT

A power control system includes: an ECU configured to control (i) charging from a power facility to a vehicle and (ii) discharging from the vehicle to the power facility; and a user terminal configured to allow a user to separately set a charging power setting value and a discharging power setting value. When the charging from the power facility to the vehicle is performed, the ECU is configured to control power charged to the vehicle per unit time to correspond to the charging power setting value set by the user using the user terminal. When the discharging from the vehicle to the power facility is performed, the ECU is configured to control power discharged from the vehicle per unit time to correspond to the discharging power setting value set by the user using the user terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2017-225970 filed on Nov. 24, 2017, with the JapanPatent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to a power control system configured tocontrol power exchanged between a power facility and a vehicle, as wellas the vehicle configured to exchange power with the power facility.

Description of the Background Art

Japanese Patent No. 5123419 discloses an electrically powered vehicleincluding a charging port connectable to a power facility. When thepower facility is connected to the charging port, the vehicle isconfigured to selectively perform (i) charging from the power facilityto the vehicle and (ii) discharging from the vehicle to the powerfacility.

SUMMARY

In future, in response to an increase in capacities of power storagedevices of vehicles, it is expected that needs will grow in effectivelyutilizing power stored in a power storage device of a vehicle byregularly taking the power out of the vehicle. For example, it isexpected that needs will grow in: lowering peak power by taking powerout of the vehicle during a time period during which power consumptionin a house reaches a peak; and storing, into the power storage device ofthe vehicle, power generated by a solar panel during daytime, taking thepower out of the vehicle during nighttime, and utilizing the power.

Therefore, in future, in a vehicle including a power storage deviceconfigured to be charged from and discharged to a power facility, itwill be desired to appropriately manage not only charging but alsodischarging of the power storage device of the vehicle in accordancewith a situation.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-describedproblem, and has an object to appropriately manage charging anddischarging of a power storage device of a vehicle in accordance with asituation, the power storage device being configured to be charged fromand discharged to a power facility.

(1) A power control system according to the present disclosure isconfigured to control power exchanged between a power facility and avehicle. This power control system includes: a control device configuredto control (i) charging from the power facility to the vehicle and (ii)discharging from the vehicle to the power facility; and a setting deviceconfigured to allow a user to separately set a charging power settingvalue and a discharging power setting value. When the charging from thepower facility to the vehicle is performed, the control device isconfigured to control power charged to the vehicle per unit time tocorrespond to the charging power setting value set by the user using thesetting device. When the discharging from the vehicle to the powerfacility is performed, the control device is configured to control powerdischarged from the vehicle per unit time to correspond to thedischarging power setting value set by the user using the settingdevice.

According to the above-described system, the user can separately set thecharging power setting value and the discharging power setting valueusing the setting device. Accordingly, the actual charging power(charging speed) and discharging power (discharging speed) for the powerstorage device of the vehicle can be independently matched to respectivemagnitudes suitable to respective situations. Hence, the charging anddischarging of the power storage device of the vehicle can beappropriately managed in accordance with a situation.

(2) In a certain embodiment, a range of the discharging power settingvalue settable by the user using the setting device is larger than arange of the charging power setting value settable by the user using thesetting device.

According to the above-described embodiment, the adjustment range of thedischarging power can be secured to be wider than the adjustment rangeof the charging power. Accordingly, requests for discharging by the usercan be responded in many cases. On the other hand, the adjustment rangeof the charging power setting value is restricted to be smaller than theadjustment range of the discharging power setting value. Accordingly,power supplied from the power facility to the vehicle can be suppressedfrom being varied excessively. This leads to suppression of occurrenceof large power variation in other devices connected to the powerfacility due to the supply of power from the power facility to thevehicle.

(3) In a certain embodiment, a maximum value of the discharging powersetting value settable by the user using the setting device is largerthan a maximum value of the charging power setting value settable by theuser using the setting device.

According to the above-described embodiment, the maximum value of thedischarging power is set to be larger than the maximum value of thecharging power. Hence, even when the user requests to promptly dischargepower from the vehicle to the power facility, the request can beresponded. On the other hand, the maximum value of the charging power isrestricted to be smaller than the maximum value of the dischargingpower. Accordingly, the power supplied from the power facility to thevehicle is suppressed from being too large. This leads to suppression ofoccurrence of great decrease of power in other devices connected to thepower facility due to the supply of power from the power facility to thevehicle.

(4) In a certain embodiment, the setting device is provided in acommunication terminal that is able to be carried by the user of thevehicle.

According to the above-described embodiment, even when the user is at alocation distant away from the vehicle or the power facility, the usercan set the charging power setting value and the discharging powersetting value from the communication terminal (such as a smartphone)carried by the user.

(5) A vehicle according to the present disclosure is configured toexchange power with a power facility. This vehicle includes: a controldevice configured to control (i) charging from the power facility to thevehicle and (ii) discharging from the vehicle to the power facility; anda setting device configured to allow a user to separately set a chargingpower setting value and a discharging power setting value. When thecharging from the power facility to the vehicle is performed, thecontrol device is configured to control power charged to the vehicle perunit time to correspond to the charging power setting value set by theuser using the setting device. When the discharging from the vehicle tothe power facility is performed, the control device is configured tocontrol power discharged from the vehicle per unit time to correspond tothe discharging power setting value set by the user using the settingdevice.

According to the above-described vehicle, the user can separately setthe charging power setting value and the discharging power setting valueusing the setting device. Accordingly, the actual charging power(charging speed) and discharging power (discharging speed) for the powerstorage device of the vehicle can be independently matched to respectivemagnitudes suitable to respective situations. Hence, the charging anddischarging of the power storage device of the vehicle can beappropriately managed in accordance with a situation.

(6) In a certain embodiment, a range of the discharging power settingvalue settable by the user using the setting device is larger than arange of the charging power setting value settable by the user using thesetting device.

According to the above-described embodiment, the adjustment range of thedischarging power is secured to be wider than the adjustment range ofthe charging power. Accordingly, requests for discharging by the usercan be responded in many cases. On the other hand, the adjustment rangeof the charging power setting value is restricted to be smaller than theadjustment range of the discharging power setting value. Accordingly,power supplied from the power facility to the vehicle can be suppressedfrom being varied excessively. This leads to suppression of occurrenceof large power variation in other devices connected to the powerfacility due to the supply of power from the power facility to thevehicle.

(7) In a certain embodiment, a maximum value of the discharging powersetting value settable by the user using the setting device is largerthan a maximum value of the charging power setting value settable by theuser using the setting device.

According to the above-described embodiment, the maximum value of thedischarging power is set to be larger than the maximum value of thecharging power. Hence, even when the user requests to promptly dischargepower from the vehicle to the power facility, the request can beresponded. On the other hand, the maximum value of the charging power isrestricted to be smaller than the maximum value of the dischargingpower. Accordingly, the power supplied from the power facility to thevehicle is suppressed from being too large. This leads to suppression ofoccurrence of great decrease of power in other devices connected to thepower facility due to the supply of power from the power facility to thevehicle.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent disclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present disclosure when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an entire configuration of apower control system.

FIG. 2 is a first diagram showing an exemplary setting screen presentedon a user terminal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing exemplary discharging power and chargingpower.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary procedure of processesperformed by the user terminal and a vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a second diagram showing an exemplary setting screen presentedon the user terminal.

FIG. 6 is a first flowchart showing an exemplary procedure of a processin the vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a second flowchart showing an exemplary procedure of a processin the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following describes the present embodiment with reference to figuresin detail. It should be noted that the same or corresponding portions inthe figures are given the same reference characters and are notdescribed repeatedly.

In the present disclosure, the term “power” may mean electric power in anarrow sense (rate of doing work), or may mean electric power in a broadsense such as amount of electric power (amount of work) or electricenergy, and is flexibly interpreted depending on a context in which theterm is used.

<Entire Configuration>

FIG. 1 schematically shows an entire configuration of a power controlsystem including a vehicle according to the present embodiment. Thepower control system includes a vehicle 10, a power facility 20, aloading device 400, a commercial system power supply 500, a powerswitchboard 510, and a user terminal 700. Power facility 20 includes apower stand 200, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) 300, and a solarpanel 416. HEMS 300, loading device 400, solar panel 416, and powerswitchboard 510 are provided in a house 600.

Vehicle 10 is an electrically powered vehicle configured to generatedriving power for traveling using electric power and to exchangeelectric power with power stand 200. It should be noted that theconfiguration of the electrically powered vehicle is not particularlylimited as long as the electrically powered vehicle can travel usingelectric power. Examples of vehicle 10 include a hybrid vehicle, anelectric vehicle, and the like.

Vehicle 10 includes a power storage device 100, a connector 112, a powerconverter 114, a motive power output device 135, an ECU (ElectronicControl Unit) 130 for controlling a general operation of vehicle 10, acommunication device 140, and a HMI (Human Machine Interface) device150.

Vehicle 10 can charge power storage device 100 using power supplied frompower stand 200. Moreover, vehicle 10 can also discharge power of powerstorage device 100 to power stand 200.

Power storage device 100 is a re-chargeable power storage element.Representatively, a secondary battery is applied thereto, such as alithium ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. Alternatively,power storage device 100 may be constituted of a power storage elementother than a battery, such as an electric double layer capacitor.

Connector 112 is connectable to a connector 212 provided at the tip of apower cable 214 of power stand 200.

Power converter 114 is connected between power storage device 100 andconnector 112. Power converter 114 is controlled in accordance with acontrol signal from ECU 130. When charging power storage device 100 withpower supplied from power stand 200, power converter 114 converts thepower supplied from power stand 200 into power with which power storagedevice 100 can be charged. On the other hand, when discharging powerfrom power storage device 100 to power stand 200, power converter 114converts power of power storage device 100 into power that can bereceived by power stand 200. Power converter 114 is a bidirectionalAC/DC converter, for example.

Motive power output device 135 generates driving power of vehicle 10using the electric power stored in power storage device 100.Specifically, motive power output device 135 generates driving power ofvehicle 10 based on a driving command signal from ECU 130, and outputsthe generated driving power to driving wheels (not shown) of vehicle 10.Moreover, when motive power output device 135 receives an electric powergeneration command signal from ECU 130, motive power output device 135generates electric power and supplies the electric power to powerstorage device 100.

Communication device 140 is an interface for communicating with devicesexternal to the vehicle (such as power stand 200, HEMS 300, and userterminal 700). Communication device 140 is connected to ECU 130 via acommunication line, transmits, to a device external to the vehicle,information sent from ECU 130, and sends, to ECU 130, informationreceived from a device external to the vehicle.

HMI device 150 is a device configured to provide various information tothe user of vehicle 10 and receive an operation of the user of vehicle10. HMI device 150 includes a display including a touch panel, aspeaker, and the like.

Further, although not shown in the figure, vehicle 10 includes aplurality of sensors for detecting various physical quantities requiredfor control of vehicle 10, such as: a vehicle speed sensor configured todetect a vehicle speed; and a monitoring sensor configured to detect astate (voltage, current, temperature, or the like) of power storagedevice 100. Each of these sensors outputs a detection result to ECU 130.

ECU 130 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (notshown), and controls each device of vehicle 10 based on informationstored in the memory or information from each sensor. It should be notedthat they can be controlled by not only a process performed by softwarebut also a process performed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuit)constructed therefor.

Via communication device 140, ECU 130 performs wireless or wiredcommunication with communication devices 240, 350, 730 respectivelyprovided in power stand 200, HEMS 300, and user terminal 700 external tothe vehicle.

Power stand 200 is a facility for charging or discharging vehicle 10.Power stand 200 includes power cable 214, a relay 210, a controller 230,and communication device 240. Power stand 200 is electrically connectedto power switchboard 510 via HEMS 300. It should be noted that powerstand 200 may be provided inside house 600.

Power cable 214 has one end connected to relay 210, and has the otherend provided with connector 212. When supplying power to vehicle 10 andreceiving power from vehicle 10, connector 212 of power cable 214 isconnected to connector 112 of vehicle 10 and relay 210 is closed. Anoperation of opening and closing relay 210 is controlled by controller230.

HEMS 300 is electrically connected to power switchboard 510, power stand200, and solar panel 416. HEMS 300 includes a DC/DC converter 310, aDC/AC converter 315, a PCS (Power Conditioning System) 320, a storagebattery 330, a CPU 340, a communication device 350, and an operationpanel 360.

DC/DC converter 310, DC/AC converter 315, and PCS 320 are controlled byCPU 340.

DC/DC converter 310 is connected to solar panel 416 installed on a roofof house 600. DC/DC converter 310 converts, into an appropriate value, aDC voltage value of power generated by solar panel 416.

DC/AC converter 315 is connected to vehicle 10 via power stand 200.DC/AC converter 315 converts, into DC power, AC power supplied fromvehicle 10 via power stand 200, and outputs the DC power to PCS 320 andstorage battery 330. Moreover, DC/AC converter 315 converts, into ACpower, DC power supplied from at least one of DC/DC converter 310, PCS320, and storage battery 330, and outputs the AC power to vehicle 10 viapower stand 200.

PCS 320 is connected to system power supply 500 via power switchboard510 by power cable 216. It should be noted that system power supply 500is representatively constituted of a single-phase AC power supply. PCS320 converts, into DC power, AC power supplied from system power supply500 via power switchboard 510, and outputs the DC power to DC/ACconverter 315 and storage battery 330. Meanwhile, PCS 320 can convert,into AC power, DC power supplied from at least one of DC/DC converter310, storage battery 330, and DC/AC converter 315 (power storage device100 of vehicle 10), and can output the AC power to system power supply500 via power switchboard 510.

Storage battery 330 is a re-chargeable power storage element, and asecondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, a nickel-metal hydridebattery, or a lead storage battery is applied thereto representatively.In addition to power from vehicle 10, power generated by solar panel 416installed on house 600 is supplied to storage battery 330 via DC/DCconverter 310. Furthermore, storage battery 330 can be supplied withpower from system power supply 500.

Operation panel 360 is operated by a user of HEMS 300. Operation panel360 is configured for selection of (i) start and end of supply of powerto vehicle 10 and (ii) start and end of reception of power from vehicle10. CPU 340 transmits, to controller 230 via communication devices 350,240, a command signal corresponding to an operation performed by theuser via operation panel 360. Controller 230 controls relay 210 inaccordance with the command signal from CPU 340.

A breaker 520 is provided at a power line 218 that connects system powersupply 500 and power switchboard 510 to each other. Breaker 520 isconfigured to disconnect system power supply 500 and power switchboard510 from each other by cutting off power line 218 when an excessiveamount of current exceeding a permissible value flows in power line 218.It should be noted that for example, breaker 520 may be configured to bemelted and disconnected when a current exceeding the permissible valueflows, such as a current fuse. Breaker 520 may be configured to switch arelay to the open state when a current exceeding the permissible valueis detected by a current sensor or the like.

Loading device 400 is any electric device configured to operate whenreceiving power from power switchboard 510. Loading device 400 is a homeelectric appliance used in house 600, for example.

User terminal 700 is a communication terminal (smartphone or the like)that can be carried by the user of vehicle 10. User terminal 700includes a controller 710, an HMI device 720, and a communication device730.

HMI device 720 is a device configured to provide various information tothe user and receive an operation of the user. HMI device 720 includes adisplay including a touch panel.

Communication device 730 is an interface for wirelessly communicatingwith vehicle 10, power stand 200, and HEMS 300.

Controller 710 includes a CPU and a memory (not shown), and controlseach device (HMI device 720, communication device 730, and the like) ofuser terminal 700 based on information stored in the memory, a contentinput into HMI device 720, and the like.

<Separate Setting of Charging Power and Discharging Power by User>

Conventionally, in power management for power storage devices ofvehicles, a priority has been given to securing a traveling distance ofa vehicle by efficiently charging a power storage device of the vehicle.In future, in response to an increase in capacities of power storagedevices of vehicles, it is expected that needs will grow in effectivelyutilizing power of a power storage device of a vehicle by regularlytaking the power out of the vehicle. For example, it is expected thatneeds will grow in: taking power out of the vehicle during a time periodduring which power consumption in a house reaches a peak, so as toutilize the power to lower peak power; and temporarily storing, in thevehicle, power generated by a solar panel during daytime, and taking thepower out of the vehicle during nighttime.

In order to satisfy such needs, the power control system according tothe present embodiment is configured to appropriately manage chargingand discharging between power stand 200 and the power storage device ofvehicle 10 in accordance with a situation. Specifically, the powercontrol system is configured to allow the user to separately set (i)power (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “charging power”) chargedfrom power stand 200 to power storage device 100 of vehicle 10 per unittime, and (ii) power (hereinafter, also simply referred to as“discharging power”) discharged from power storage device 100 of vehicle10 to power stand 200 per unit time.

The following describes a method for separately setting the chargingpower and discharging power by the user. In the description below, itwill be illustratively described that the user operates user terminal700 to separately set the charging power and the discharging power.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary setting screen presented on the display of HMIdevice 720 of user terminal 700. As shown in FIG. 2, in this settingscreen, numerical value indications 151, 154, setting bars 152, 155,indication bars 153, 156, and a setting completion button 157 arepresented.

Numerical value indication 151 presents a current charging power settingvalue in the form of a numerical value. Numerical value indication 154presents a current discharging power setting value in the form of anumerical value.

The left end of setting bar 152 corresponds to the minimum value of thecharging power that can be set by the user, and the right end of settingbar 152 corresponds to the maximum value of the charging power that canbe set by the user. That is, the width of setting bar 152 represents arange of the charging power that can be set by the user.

The left end of setting bar 155 corresponds to the minimum value of thedischarging power that can be set by the user, and the right end ofsetting bar 155 corresponds to the maximum value of the dischargingpower that can be set by the user. That is, the width of setting bar 155represents a range of the discharging power that can be set by the user.

Indication bar 153 presents the current charging power setting value onsetting bar 152. Indication bar 156 presents the current dischargingpower setting value on setting bar 155.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which both the minimum values of the chargingpower and discharging power that can be set by the user are “0 kw” andboth the maximum values of the charging power and discharging power thatcan be set by the user are “7 kw”. Therefore, in the example shown inFIG. 2, the respective ranges of both the charging power and dischargingpower that can be set by the user are set to the same range of “0 kw to7 kw”. Moreover, FIG. 2 shows an example in which the current chargingpower setting value is “6 kw” and the current discharging power settingvalue is “3 kw”. It should be noted that in FIG. 2, the width of settingbar 152 and the width of setting bar 155 are presented on the samescale.

The user can check the current charging power setting value and thedischarging power setting value by seeing numerical value indications151, 154 or indication bars 153, 156 in the setting screen shown in FIG.2.

The user can increase the charging power setting value by touching theright end of indication bar 153 presented on setting bar 152 and slidingit to the right. Likewise, the user can decrease the charging powersetting value by touching the right end of indication bar 153 andsliding it to the left. These operations are operations of setting thecharging power by the user.

The user can increase the discharging power setting value by touchingthe right end of indication bar 156 presented on setting bar 155 andsliding it to the right. Likewise, the user can decrease the dischargingpower setting value by touching the right end of indication bar 153 andsliding it to the left. These operations are operations of setting thedischarging power by the user.

By touching setting completion button 157, the user can complete thesettings of the charging power setting value and discharging powersetting value.

When the user touches setting completion button 157, informationindicating the current charging power setting value and the dischargingpower setting value is transmitted from user terminal 700 to vehicle 10,and is stored in the memory of ECU 130 of vehicle 10.

When charging from power stand 200 to vehicle 10 is performed, ECU 130of vehicle 10 reads the charging power setting value stored in thememory (that is, the charging power setting value set by the user usinguser terminal 700) and controls power converter 114 to attain actualcharging power corresponding to the charging power setting value.

When discharging from vehicle 10 to power stand 200 is performed, ECU130 of vehicle 10 reads the discharging power setting value stored inthe memory (that is, the discharging power setting value set by the userusing user terminal 700) and controls power converter 114 to attainactual discharging power corresponding to the discharging power settingvalue.

FIG. 3 shows exemplary discharging power and charging power controlledby the power control system according to the present embodiment. In FIG.3, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis representspower.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, during a period of time t1 to t2,discharging from vehicle 10 to power stand 200 is performed, whereasduring a period of time t3 to t4, charging from power stand 200 tovehicle 10 is performed.

During the period of time t1 to t2 during which the discharging isperformed, the discharging power is adjusted to correspond to thedischarging power setting value set by the user.

During the period of time t3 to t4 during which the charging isperformed, the charging power is adjusted to correspond to the chargingpower setting value set by the user.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an exemplary procedure of processesperformed by user terminal 700 and vehicle 10. In FIG. 4, the process ofuser terminal 700 is shown on the left side, whereas the process ofvehicle 10 is shown on the right side.

When the user performs an operation of requesting to set the chargingpower and the discharging power, user terminal 700 (more specifically,controller 710 of user terminal 700) presents the setting screen shownin FIG. 2 on the display of HMI device 720 (step S10).

Next, user terminal 700 receives the user's operation of setting thecharging power and the discharging power (operation on indication bars153, 156 of FIG. 2) (step S12).

Next, user terminal 700 determines whether or not the user has completedthe setting operation by touching setting complete button 157 (stepS14).

When the setting operation has not been completed (NO in step S14), userterminal 700 returns the process to step S12.

When the setting operation has been completed (YES in step S14), userterminal 700 transmits, to vehicle 10, the charging power setting valueand discharging power setting value set by the user (step S16).

Vehicle 10 (more specifically, ECU 130 of vehicle 10) stores, into thememory, the charging power setting value and discharging power settingvalue received from user terminal 700 (step S20).

Then, vehicle 10 controls charging and discharging of vehicle 10 usingthe charging power setting value and the discharging power setting value(step S22). Specifically, when charging from power stand 200 to vehicle10 is performed, vehicle 10 reads the charging power setting valuestored in the memory, and controls power converter 114 to attain actualcharging power corresponding to the charging power setting value. Whendischarging from vehicle 10 to power stand 200 is performed, vehicle 10reads the discharging power setting value stored in the memory, andcontrols power converter 114 to attain actual discharging powercorresponding to the discharging power setting value.

As described above, the power control system according to the presentembodiment is configured to allow the user to separately set thecharging power setting value and the discharging power setting value.Accordingly, the actual charging power (charging speed) and dischargingpower (discharging speed) can be independently matched to respectivemagnitudes suitable to respective situations. Hence, the charging anddischarging of power storage device 100 of vehicle 10 can beappropriately managed in accordance with a situation.

Particularly, in the power control system according to the presentembodiment, the user can set the charging power setting value and thedischarging power setting value using user terminal 700. Therefore, evenwhen the user is at a location distant away from vehicle 10 or powerfacility 20, the user can set the charging power setting value and thedischarging power setting value from user terminal 700 carried by theuser.

<Modification 1>

In FIG. 2 above, it has been exemplarily illustrated that the respectiveranges of the charging power and discharging power that can be set bythe user are set to have the same width (0 kw to 7 kw) and therespective maximum values of the charging power and discharging powerthat can be set by the user are set to the same value (7 kw).

However, the range of the discharging power that can be set by the usermay be set to be larger than the range of the charging power that can beset by the user. Moreover, the maximum value of the discharging powerthat can be set by the user may be set to be larger than the maximumvalue of the charging power that can be set by the user.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary setting screen presented on the display of HMIdevice 720 of user terminal 700 according to a modification 1. Thesetting screen shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by changing setting bar 155of the setting screen shown in FIG. 2 to a setting bar 155A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the width of setting bar 155A (that is, the range ofthe discharging power that can be set by the user) is set to be largerthan the width of setting bar 152 (the range of the charging power thatcan be set by the user). Accordingly, the adjustment range of thedischarging power is secured to be wider than the adjustment range ofthe charging power. Accordingly, requests for discharging by the usercan be responded in many cases. On the other hand, the adjustment rangeof the charging power is restricted to be smaller than the adjustmentrange of the discharging power. Accordingly, power supplied from powerfacility 20 to vehicle 10 can be suppressed from being variedexcessively. This leads to suppression of occurrence of large powervariation (so-called “flicker”) in loading device 400 or the likeconnected to power switchboard 510 due to the supply of power from powerfacility 20 to vehicle 10.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the value of the charging powercorresponding to the right end of setting bar 155A (i.e., the maximumvalue of the discharging power that can be set by the user; “15 kw” inthe example shown in FIG. 5) is set to be larger than the value of thecharging power corresponding to the right end of setting bar 152 (i.e.,the maximum value of the charging power that can be set by the user; “7kw” in the example shown in FIG. 5). Hence, even when the user requeststo promptly discharge power from vehicle 10 to power facility 20, therequest can be responded. On the other hand, the maximum value of thecharging power is restricted to be smaller than the maximum value of thedischarging power. Accordingly, the power supplied from power facility20 to vehicle 10 is suppressed from being too large. Hence, power inloading device 400 or the like connected to power switchboard 510 can besuppressed from being greatly decreased due to the supply of power frompower facility 20 to vehicle 10, and breaker 520 can be suppressed frombeing cut off due to flow of an excessive amount of current from systempower supply 500 to power switchboard 510.

<Modification 2>

In the above-described embodiment, it has been illustratively describedthat the user operates user terminal 700 to set the charging power andthe discharging power.

However, when the user may set the charging power and the dischargingpower by operating HMI device 150 of vehicle 10 or operation panel 360of HEMS 600.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary procedure of a process invehicle 10 when the user operates HMI device 150 of vehicle 10 to setthe charging power and the discharging power.

When the user performs an operation of requesting to set the chargingpower and the discharging power, vehicle 10 (more specifically, ECU 130of vehicle 10) presents the setting screen shown in FIG. 2 on thedisplay of HMI device 150 (step S10A).

Next, vehicle 10 receives the user's operation (operation on indicationbars 153, 156 of FIG. 2) of setting the charging power and thedischarging power (step S12A).

Next, vehicle 10 determines whether or not the user has completed thesetting operation by touching setting complete button 157 (step S14A).When the setting operation has not been completed (NO in step S14A),vehicle 10 returns the process to step S12A.

When the setting operation has been completed (YES in step S14A),vehicle 10 stores, into the memory, the charging power setting value anddischarging power setting value set by the user (step S20A). Then,vehicle 10 controls charging and discharging of vehicle 10 using thecharging power setting value and the discharging power setting value(step S22A).

In this way, the user may set the charging power setting value and thedischarging power setting value by operating HMI device 150 of vehicle10.

It should be noted that as described above, the user may set thecharging power setting value and the discharging power setting value byoperating operation panel 360 of HEMS 600.

<Modification 3>

When the charging power setting value and the discharging power settingvalue are set by the user but the charging power and discharging powerrespectively corresponding to the charging power setting value anddischarging power setting value set by the user cannot be secured due toa low temperature of power storage device 100, control for increasingthe temperature of power storage device 100 may be performed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an exemplary procedure of a process invehicle 10 according to a modification 3. The flowchart of FIG. 7 isobtained by adding steps S30 to S36 between step S20A and step S22A inthe flowchart of FIG. 6 described above in modification 2. The othersteps (steps given the same reference characters as those of the stepsin FIG. 6 above) have been already described and therefore will not bedescribed repeatedly here in detail.

Vehicle 10 (more specifically, ECU 130 of vehicle 10) stores, into thememory, the charging power setting value and discharging power settingvalue set by the user (step S20A).

Then, vehicle 10 determines whether or not the charging power and thedischarging power respectively corresponding to the charging powersetting value and the discharging power setting value can be secured(step S30). For example, vehicle 10 determines that the charging powerand the discharging power respectively corresponding to the chargingpower setting value and the discharging power setting value can besecured, when the magnitude of the charging power setting value issmaller than the magnitude of power that can be accepted by powerstorage device 100 and the magnitude of the discharging power settingvalue is smaller than the magnitude of the power that can be output bypower storage device 100.

When it is determined that the charging power and the discharging powerrespectively corresponding to the charging power setting value and thedischarging power setting value can be secured (YES in step S30),vehicle 10 controls the charging and discharging of vehicle 10 using thecharging power setting value and the discharging power setting value(step S22A).

On the other hand, when it is not determined that the charging power andthe discharging power respectively corresponding to the charging powersetting value and the discharging power setting value can be secured (NOin step S30), vehicle 10 determines whether or not a low temperature ofpower storage device 100 is a reason why the charging power and thedischarging power respectively corresponding to the charging powersetting value and the discharging power setting value cannot be secured(step S32).

When the low temperature of power storage device 100 is the reason whythe charging power and the discharging power respectively correspondingto the charging power setting value and the discharging power settingvalue cannot be secured (YES in step S32), vehicle 10 performs controlfor increasing the temperature of power storage device 100 (step S34).For example, vehicle 10 increases the temperature of power storagedevice 100 by operating motive power output device 135 to exchange powerbetween power storage device 100 and power output device 135. Then,vehicle 10 controls charging and discharging of vehicle 10 using thecharging power setting value and the discharging power setting value(step S22A).

On the other hand, when the low temperature of power storage device 100is not the reason why the charging power and the discharging powerrespectively corresponding to the charging power setting value and thedischarging power setting value cannot be secured (NO in step S32),vehicle 10 modifies the charging power setting value and the dischargingpower setting value (step S36). Specifically, when the magnitude of thecharging power setting value exceeds the magnitude of the power that canbe accepted by power storage device 100, vehicle 10 modifies themagnitude of the charging power setting value to be smaller than themagnitude of the power that can be accepted by power storage device 100.Likewise, when the magnitude of the discharging power setting valueexceeds the magnitude of the power that can be output by power storagedevice 100, vehicle 10 modifies the magnitude of the discharging powersetting value to be smaller than the magnitude of the power that can beoutput by power storage device 100. Then, vehicle 10 controls chargingand discharging of vehicle 10 using the modified charging power settingvalue and discharging power setting value (step S22A).

Thus, when the low temperature of power storage device 100 is the reasonwhy the charging power setting value and discharging power setting valueset by the user cannot be secured, the control for increasing thetemperature of power storage device 100 may be performed.

It should be noted that in modification 2 above, steps S30 to S36 areadded in FIG. 7 between steps S20A and step S22A of the flowchart ofFIG. 6; however, steps S30 to S36 may be added between step S20 and stepS22 of FIG. 4 in the above-described embodiment.

Moreover, the above-described embodiment and modifications 1 to 3 can becombined appropriately as long as the combination is not technicallycontradictory.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scopeof the present disclosure being interpreted by the terms of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power control system configured to controlpower exchanged between a power facility and a vehicle, the powercontrol system comprising: a control device configured to control (i)charging from the power facility to the vehicle and (ii) dischargingfrom the vehicle to the power facility; and a setting device configuredto allow a user to separately set a charging power setting value and adischarging power setting value, wherein when the charging from thepower facility to the vehicle is performed, the control device isconfigured to control power charged to the vehicle per unit time tocorrespond to the charging power setting value set by the user using thesetting device, and when the discharging from the vehicle to the powerfacility is performed, the control device is configured to control powerdischarged from the vehicle per unit time to correspond to thedischarging power setting value set by the user using the settingdevice.
 2. The power control system according to claim 1, wherein arange of the discharging power setting value settable by the user usingthe setting device is larger than a range of the charging power settingvalue settable by the user using the setting device.
 3. The powercontrol system according to claim 1, wherein a maximum value of thedischarging power setting value settable by the user using the settingdevice is larger than a maximum value of the charging power settingvalue settable by the user using the setting device.
 4. The powercontrol system according to claim 1, wherein the setting device isprovided in a communication terminal that is able to be carried by theuser of the vehicle.
 5. A vehicle configured to exchange power with apower facility, the vehicle comprising: a control device configured tocontrol (i) charging from the power facility to the vehicle and (ii)discharging from the vehicle to the power facility; and a setting deviceconfigured to allow a user to separately set a charging power settingvalue and a discharging power setting value, wherein when the chargingfrom the power facility to the vehicle is performed, the control deviceis configured to control power charged to the vehicle per unit time tocorrespond to the charging power setting value set by the user using thesetting device, and when the discharging from the vehicle to the powerfacility is performed, the control device is configured to control powerdischarged from the vehicle per unit time to correspond to thedischarging power setting value set by the user using the settingdevice.
 6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein a range of thedischarging power setting value settable by the user using the settingdevice is larger than a range of the charging power setting valuesettable by the user using the setting device.
 7. The vehicle accordingto claim 5, wherein a maximum value of the discharging power settingvalue settable by the user using the setting device is larger than amaximum value of the charging power setting value settable by the userusing the setting device.